Research Intern on Trafficking in Persons

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The organization operates globally, with a mission to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism. UNODC focuses on various issues, including drug trafficking, organized crime, corruption, and terrorism prevention. The organization employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with numerous countries and international organizations to promote justice and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security worldwide.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the Innovation and Partnership Section of the Research and Analysis Branch (RAB) at UNODC. The primary focus of this internship is to support the research efforts for the global report on trafficking in persons. The intern will work closely with the research coordinator of the TiPSoM Team, contributing to the conceptualization and development of a database that tracks indicators related to trafficking in persons. This role requires the intern to engage in data collection, analysis, and the production of country profiles that will be included in the global report. The internship is unpaid and requires a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week, either from the Vienna headquarters or remotely. The intern will gain valuable experience in research methodologies and data analysis while contributing to a significant global issue.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: contributing to the conceptualization of a database designed to track indicators on trafficking in persons; assisting in the production of country profiles for the global report; proactively sourcing data through online research and liaising with national partners; entering identified and formatted data into the database; and performing pilot analyses of the collected data. The intern is expected to work collaboratively with team members and contribute innovative ideas to enhance the research process.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have recently completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or be enrolled in or have recently completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). While professional work experience is not required for the UN Internship Programme, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Additionally, applicants should possess good knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Skills in drafting news articles or social media posts, as well as designing surveys and polls, are desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in or have completed a Master’s or Ph.D. program. Proof of enrollment or completion must be provided with the application. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to the research tasks assigned during the internship.

Experience:
While prior professional work experience is not a requirement for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. This could include research projects, internships, or volunteer work related to trafficking in persons, data analysis, or similar fields.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The internship is expected to last from January to April 2026, with the possibility of extension until June 202

• It is important to note that the internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for covering their own travel costs, including visa, accommodation, health insurance, and other living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Austria may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.